Chapter 1629: Want to Talk to Mommy

The next day at the Farwell residence, the children awoke to find their parents hadn't returned home the previous night. Worried, Benny nudged his brother. "Archie, let's call Mommy's phone!"

Unease had settled in their stomachs since returning from school. Remembering a previous incident involving Roxanne, they were concerned about her and Lucian's absence. Archie, frowning, dialed Roxanne's number.

Benny's face fell as the dial tone persisted. "What if something bad happened to Mommy...?"

"No," Archie reassured, "Mr. Lawson said Mommy is away on a business trip. Maybe she's traveling and can't answer."

"How about Daddy's phone? Why didn't he come home either?" Benny suggested, his face crumpling. Archie then called Lucian.

At the hospital, Lucian saw Roxanne's phone light up with the children's call. He looked at her lying still in the bed, hesitated, and let the call go unanswered. "Wake up," he whispered, tracing her pale cheek, "the kids are worried about you." There was no response.

A short while later, his own phone rang—it was the children again. His brows furrowed as he wrestled with his emotions before answering neutrally, "What is it, Archie?"

Hearing their father's voice eased their worry. Benny and Estella crowded close before Archie could respond. "Where's Mommy? I want to talk to Mommy," Estella said plaintively.

Lucian looked at Roxanne, his gaze darkening. "She's on a business trip and isn't with me now. Didn't Mr. Lawson tell you that?"

"But Mommy didn't answer her phone when we called," Estella pouted.

He glanced at Roxanne's phone on the nightstand, switched it off, and said, "Mommy is very busy. She will call you back when she's done. You shouldn't keep calling and disturbing her."

The children nodded reluctantly. "Okay, we got it."

Lucian breathed a sigh of relief at their compliance. He knew he couldn't maintain the deception if they continued questioning him.

"When will you be back, Daddy?" Benny asked cautiously. They were unaccustomed to Lucian and Roxanne's absence.

The hurt in their voices tugged at Lucian's heart. He softened his tone. "Something came up, and I'm a little busy now. I probably won't be home today. Be good and listen to Catalina. I'll bring snacks when I go home."

Left alone, the children sat on the couch, feeling despondent. They didn't want to interfere with their parents' work.

Benny then requested, "Then I want desserts from the restaurant we visited last time!"

Lucian's heart lightened at the boy's innocent request. He agreed, his voice rough with emotion.